How your weight can be a risk to your circulation

Worried that your weight might be affecting your health? You’re not alone.

According to recent Government data , 65% of adults in New Zealand¹ are overweight or obese. And carrying too much fat - especially around the middle - impacts our health in many ways, increasing the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Being obese or overweight can play a part in poor circulation too. Luckily, there are lots of achievable ways to lose weight - we’ll take a look at those later.

But first, let’s explore body fat and how it impacts health in more depth.

Obesity and poor circulation - what's the connection?

Carrying too much fat can have a negative effect on your circulation in these ways:

• If your body is larger, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the extremities, such as your lower limbs.
• Excess visceral fat is associated with insulin resistance, which increases the risk of diabetes. This, in turn, can negatively impact your circulation.
• Excess fat - especially visceral fat - increases the risk of high cholesterol, which can cause fatty deposits that narrow your blood vessels.
• Excess visceral fat can cause inflammation in the venous system, making it harder for blood to flow freely.

These factors may combine to cause blood vessels to narrow and lose elasticity, which can lead to poor circulation medically diagnosed as Peripheral Arterial Disease (or PAD). This should be diagnosed by your doctor. 

How do I know if I’m carrying too much fat?

Silly question, right? But it’s not quite as simple as looking in the mirror.

Doctors often use BMI (Body Mass Index) to measure if someone is obese or overweight. It’s a way of assessing if you’re carrying too much fat overall, but visceral fat can be harder to detect. Where your body stores fat is a clue. Being an apple shape with a big tummy and slimmer legs can mean more visceral fat.

And measuring your waist size is an easy way to get a rough idea if you’re carrying too much visceral fat. According to the New Zealand Heart Foundation, you are at risk for health problems such as heart disease and diabetes if your waist measure more than 80cm (31.5 inches) for women and more than 94cm (37 inches) for men. ².

Ways to lose weight and relieve the symptoms of poor circulation

If you’re carrying too much fat - especially around the middle - it’s important to take action in order to reduce your risk of disease. Some simple lifestyle tweaks and using Revitive can help:

• Keep moving
  Exercise helps reduce both visceral and subcutaneous fat, and every bit of movement helps. Try taking the stairs instead of the escalator, going for a walk at lunchtime or getting off the bus one stop early. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.
• Eat well
  Avoid trans fats - found in meat, deep-fried and processed foods - and sugary choices. Opt instead for foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, leafy greens, yogurt, and oily fish are good choices.
• Speak with your GP
  Seek advice from a health professional before starting a new diet or exercise programme.